Update Feb. 20: Samsung just took the wraps off its Galaxy S10 lineup, which includes a trio of new phones. The phone maker will also start selling the Galaxy Fold, a $1,980 folding phone, on April 26.

In the battle between Apple and Samsung for best smartphone, Apple retains its edge over the competition with the iPhone XS Max. But Samsung hopes to give Apple a run for its money with the revamped Galaxy S10 lineup.

Until we get a chance to test the Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e, though, Apple's iPhone XS Max remains our choice for the best available phone. With a 6.5-inch OLED screen crammed into a phone that's not much larger than the iPhone 8 Plus, the XS Max commands a staggering $1,099, but in return you get improved cameras and a processor that blows away its rivals.

However, if you want a big screen and don't want to pay a premium, the $749 iPhone XR is a great option for most people. You get a big 6.1-inch display, the same great camera and processor and lots of fun color options. And it lasts longer on a charge than the iPhone XS Max, but you don't get an OLED display or 2x optical zoom.

Android purists should turn to the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL. Based on our testing, the Pixel 3 is the best camera phone on the market. Other highlights include AI features like screening robocalls and Android 9 Pie.

While the Galaxy S10 is launching soon, the Galaxy S9+ is still a great option, offering a gorgeous 6.2-inch display, fast Snapdragon 845 processor and a much improved camera that records awesome slow-motion video. But with the S10 arriving March 8, you should really only consider the S9 if you see a big discount. Samsung's 6.4-inch Galaxy Note 9 is the big-screen phone to beat, adding new capabilities to the S Pen and improving the camera with AI-powered enhancements (though the new 10+ has the same sized screen).

If you want to avoid paying top dollar for a phone while still enjoying premium features, the OnePlus 6T is a fantastic value. It offers a speedy in-screen fingerprint reader, an immersive 6.4-inch OLED screen and flagship specs for just $549. If you’re on a tighter budget, check out the Moto G6. For just $250, you get a colorful 5.7-inch display with minimal bezels, solid performance from its Snapdragon 450 processor and helpful software features. But you may want to wait until March for the newer Moto G7.

Tom's Guide reviews dozens of new smartphones, and we evaluate them in our lab and in the real world based on design, features, performance, camera quality and battery life. Check out our top smartphone choices in multiple categories, along with new and notable phones we're planning on reviewing shortly and the latest rumors about upcoming handsets.

News and Updates (February 2019)

The Galaxy S10 is here. Read our hands on with the Galaxy S10 and S10+ as well as our look at the lower-cost S10e. The phones arrive March 8.

Samsung took the wraps off its flexible Galaxy Fold, too. When folded up, you've got a phone with a 4.6-inch screen; unfolded, it's a tablet with a 7.3-inch display. The price tag is pretty steep at $1,980, and you'll be able to pick up a Galaxy Fold on April 26.

Smartphone Rumors

Pixel 3 Lite: Google may be working on a phone called the Pixel 3 Lite, which will presumably be more affordable than the Pixel 3. Rumored specs include a 5.5-inch display and Snapdragon 670 processor.

LG G8: LG has already said that the LG G8 will offer a 3D front camera with a time-of-flight sensor. It will also sport an OLED display that doubles as a speaker. It launches Feb. 24 at MWC.

5G Phones: Phones that take advantage of the soon-to-launch 5G networking standard are expected in the first half of 2019. See our roundup of all the 5G phones to expect (though you won't need to wait much longer for the 5G Galaxy S10).

The iPhone XS Max is the best smartphone money can buy. Granted, $1,099 is a lot of money, but for that price you’re getting a ginormous and gorgeous 6.5-inch OLED display, much improved cameras (especially in low light) and the fastest processor ever in a phone. The regular iPhone XS has all of the same upgrades, but we prefer the Max for its larger canvas for watching video, split-screen view within certain apps and longer battery life. If you’re going to splurge on a phone to own for the next 2 to 3 years, this is it.

The Pixel 3 is the best camera phone and best pure Android phone we have ever tested, and it’s not because of the hardware. Google has found amazing ways to leverage AI on this 5.5-inch handset, including a Top Shot feature for the camera that automatically picks the best photo and a screen calling feature that uses Google Assistant to transcribe calls as they come in on the fly. The photo quality here is just stunning; you can even get optical zoom results without a second lens. Add in the equally smart and helpful Android Pie OS and an improved OLED screen and you have one heck of a phone.

We'd advise waiting for the Galaxy S10 at this point, but the Galaxy S9 and S9+ take the nearly bezel-free design and wraparound Infinity Display from the S8 and bolster it with the latest generation Snapdragon 845 processor and an all-new camera fitted with super slow-motion recording and adjustable aperture. The larger S9+ goes a step further, with a second rear camera that enables Live Photos, Samsung’s take on portrait mode where you can adjust the strength of the bokeh effect before and after the shot. Toss in stereo speakers, a repositioned fingerprint sensor and a headphone jack and you have a satisfying sequel to the Galaxy S8.

The OnePlus 6T delivers a couple of key firsts at a great price. It’s the first phone sold in the U.S. with an in-screen fingerprint reader--and it works almost instantly. The 6T is also the first phone from OnePlus sold through a U.S. carrier in T-Mobile. Whether you go that route or buy it unlocked, you’ll be happy with the OnePlus 6T’s strong performance, stunning 6.4-inch OLED display and improved dual cameras. You get great specs for the money: a Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for just $549 (£499, €549) or you can upgrade that to 8GB of RAM for just $20 more at $579 (£529, €579).

The iPhone XR costs $250 less than the iPhone XS and Galaxy Note 9, and yet this phone delivers pretty much everything you’d want from a big-screen flagship. That includes a bright and colorful 6.1-inch LCD display, the fastest processor you can get in a phone (A12 Bionic) and great camera quality. No, you don’t get dual rear shooters for 2X optical zoom, but otherwise this phone is top-notch in every way. The best part is the battery life, as the iPhone XR lasted 11 hours and 28 minutes on our web surfing battery test. That beats most flagship phones.

With the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung has joined the iPhone X in the pricey $1,000 phone club. But this handset is worth the premium if you want the best big-screen phone around. The 6.4-inch display is gorgeous, and you get a new AI-assisted cameras for automatically recognizing various scenes to get the best photo. Other highlights include a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen, which makes it easy to remotely control the phone for shooting selfies, changing music tracks and more. Add in more than 11 hours of battery life, and the Note 9 is worth the splurge for power users.

Moto's G Series has been the go-to phone for people who don't want to shell out a lot of money for their smartphone but still expect a solid performer. With its colorful 5.7-inch display, capable processor and inviting design, this year's Moto G6 continues to live up to that standard. You'll have to live with below-average battery life and a just-OK camera, but the G6 delivers on enough features to make it a great value. Best of all, the G6 works on both GSM and CDMA networks, so you're not restricted to using select carriers.

If you’re not a fan of phablets, the iPhone 8 gives you the most power per inch of any device on the market, especially now that Apple's more recent phones all boast screens sizes of 5.8 inches or larger. In addition to a still mighty A11 Bionic chip that runs circles around Android phones, the iPhone 8 benefits from a bigger and faster camera sensor that takes fantastic-looking photos, including Live Photos with fun new effects in iOS 11. Add in above-average battery life and access to fun new augmented reality apps, and you have the best small phone.

For those serious about gaming, the Asus ROG Phone is tailor-made for you. This beast packs a gorgeous 6-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 845 processor with four cores that run at overclocked speeds and 8GB or RAM. In addition to impressive performance, the ROG Phone sports a head-turning design with a logo that can glow 16.8 million colors. Other highlights include a vapor cooling system and even an included active cooling attachment with its own fans. Add in a bunch of accessory options and you have the best gaming phone yet.

With the iPhone SE gone from Apple's iPhone lineup, the iPhone 7 takes its place as the best smartphone you can hand over to your kids. At $449, it's now the cheapest iPhone Apple has to offer. And while you're getting 2016's A10 Fusion chip, only 32GB of storage and a 4.7-inch LCD screen, you're not making too many other trade-offs. The iPhone 7 has IP67 dust- and water-resistance, meaning a splash of water won't wreck your kid's phone. Access to Apple's App Store means your kids can download a great array of games and social networking apps, while the phone's support for iOS 12 puts you in control of just when they can use those apps.

What Smartphones Cost

The best premium phones like the Galaxy S10, Pixel 3 and iPhone X cost anywhere from $700 to as much as $1,000. However, there are great values with flagship-level specs under $500. On a budget? You can get a very good Android phone for less than $250.

How We Rate Phones

We rate smartphones using a combination of subjective criteria (including design and ease of use); our own benchmarks (e.g., our battery, audio and display tests; and synthetic benchmarks (Geekbench 4 for speed, 3DMark for graphics). We also do real-world speed tests (such as video editing) and take photos in different lighting conditions to compare the results.

After we've conducted all of our testing, we rate each device based on its features, performance and overall value. Only the top-performing devices make our Best list.

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Obsessed with tech since the original PalmPilot, Mark Spoonauer is responsible for the editorial direction of Tom's Guide and has covered technology for more than 15 years. He became editor-in-chief of the site in 2013. Mark specializes in covering all things mobile, having reviewed dozens of smartphones and other gadgets. He speaks at key tech industry events and appears regularly on TV to discuss the latest trends. Mark was previously reviews editor at Mobile Computing, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc. Follow him on Twitter at @mspoonauer.